Travelled: August 22-23, 2015

Last month, I was invited to visit one of my co-teachers, Thuy’s, hometown in Hai Phong. Obviously saying yes, three other of my friends/co-worker’s and myself took an early morning bus ride with Thuy to stay with her parents. Upon arrival, her parents had cooked us a wonderful feast of authentic Vietnamese home cooking. We were also offered rice wine. Kate and myself said yes, as usual. The funny part is that it’s not exactly “rice wine,” it’s scotch whiskey! After eating and conversing, through translation, with Thuy’s parents, we relaxed for a bit drinking hot green tea and more conversation.

Shortly after we went to Tiên Lãng Resort Spa for a pamper treatment. This place was an oasis from any outside city or countryside. It was lined with tons of trees and waterfalls and the sounds were strictly nature. We got a deal to do a steam room with eucalyptus air, a mud bath, jacuzzi, rock shower and mineral pool. None of us had ever been in a mud bath and had the best time pouring mud on each other and laughing hysterically about the ridiculousness of it. Enjoying all the amenities we had there, the mineral pool was weirdly refreshing, although the temperature nearly mirrored the heat outside of the pool. Being filled with minerals, the water was heavier and easier to sink when floating. We tried teaching Thuy and her friend how to swim and float on their backs and even played a few games of chicken. It was great fun.

Heading back to Thuy’s parents house we laughed at our driver who literally drove with her horn pressed down the whole time. It was pretty ironic and comical as we were driving through the countryside with some classical styled Vietnamese music playing in the background and fully engulfed in spa relaxation. When we got back, we laid down for a little before changing and going to Thuy’s Uncle’s house for his wedding. Weddings here are a bit different then the states. They are more casual (in terms of the reception), but last a few days of eating and drinking with family. The ceremony is only with the closest family at a church. Apparently the bride only wears white for her wedding pictures and ceremony, but after that is in an elaborate colored traditional Áo dài dress. The meal for dinner was an elaborate array of Vietnamese delicatessen and noodle dishes, only dabbling a tid bit in some unfamiliar territory. After eating we walked over to a church down the road where we hung out and admired the fine architecture and shrines.

The following morning we woke fairly early to grab some Phở, traditional Vietnamese breakfast, and then to see the famous temple, Nguyễn Bỉnh Khiêm, in Hai Phong. We cruised over on two motorbikes through the countryside. Humidity was high and energy and enthusiasm was even higher. There is something so refreshing about being on an open (small) road of rice fields and a sky full of white clouds smiling down on you.

Nguyễn Bỉnh Khiêm Temple

Nguyễn Bỉnh Khiêm temple was yet another peaceful sanctuary full of metal statues, a bridge with some sort of body of water and a huge statue of Nguyễn Bỉnh Khiêm himself.

Women were peddling around trying to sell us monster size stuffed animals and some kind of bread. Although very pushy for us to make a purchase, they were very sweet, keeping a smile plastered on their faces underneath their straw hats.

Quickly going through the temple, due to uncomfortably hot weather conditions, we headed back to our home base at Thuy’s parents house. We freshened up a bit before continuing the wedding festivities at her Uncle’s house. Once arriving back, we continued eating and drinking Hanoi beer. The children gravitated towards us, so we were kept entertained and created our own entertainment for a handful of sweet nuggets. We continued eating fresh, home cooked food, chasing it back with beer and Sting, a sweet energy drink. After a few hours of socializing and eating we had to start heading back to catch the bus back to Hà Nội.

The bus home was crammed packed with passengers sitting on tiny stools in the walkway due to being at its full capacity. Thankfully we snagged proper seats for all of us and weren’t stuck lingering at foot level for two hours. Women in the aisle were throwing up in bags. I really felt for them until they got off at their stop and decided to leave their bags of vomit aboard the traveling bus…

With the beautiful bride…

Aside from the puking departure, it was a perfect weekend getaway full of relaxation, hometown hospitality, good company and endless laughter.